Tuesday, February 6, 2024

An Update on the Journey

Hello, dear readers!

It has been a minute since I've posted on the Journey. I thought I would drop in today and catch up everyone on the events in my world.

Like everyone else, the holidays took a big chunk of my time; along with my two cataract surgeries, the weird weeks of seeing out of balance between the surgeries, and preparing for the annual business meeting at my job. 

Something had to go on the back burner. I'm here to tell you the idea of "you can have it all," is a falsehood. You can do a lot of things; but you can't do everything.

Added to the mix of things calling for my attention was an opportunity. An opportunity to take a step closer to my dream of becoming a published author.

I entered into an agreement with a writing coach who is going to help me polish my novel for publication. During the next six months - maybe longer - I'm going to be actively engaged in editing my masterpiece.

I'm investing in my dream with not only my money; but my efforts and time. (Time is a very precious commodity!)





Therefore, dear reader, the Journey will be quiet. From time to time I may be able to pop on to share something on my heart or revive a blast from the past; but mostly the blog will be laying fallow during this season of preparation. 

Just like the farmer gets all his equitpment ready during the winter to go all-out with planting in the spring, the writer must also prepare her seed (her words) and her equipment (the vehicle for those words) to go all-out to release them into the world. 

The Journey will always be here - I'm very passionate about this little spot of mine in the cyber world. I'll be back to break up the fallow ground when the time is right.

In the meantime, best wishes to you all. My prayer is the Lord would bless you all richly in your endeavors, and you would be drawn ever closer to Him.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~


Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up


Monday, December 25, 2023

Because He Came ... Revisited

For years now, I always think how it would be at Christmas time if Jesus had never came to earth ... I know life would not be near as bright and hope-filled as it is. There would be no sweet little Christmas plays with toddlers playing Mary and Joseph.

It would be a dark world indeed. 

But He DID come. Just like scripture said He would.

Just like He came after years of prophecy, He will come again in the near future and fulfill every word ever prophesied about Him. I want to be ready when it happens.

Please look below for links to more of my ideas how things would be different if Jesus had never came ...







Because He Came ... the words of Isaiah came true.



Isaiah 61:1-2 Version (NKJV)

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LordAnd the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah spoke this approximately 700 years before the birth of Christ.

Luke 4:16-21 (NKJV)

So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
There are many stories in the New Testament that prove Jesus did what He came to do.  How could Isaiah have known 700 years before that Jesus would heal the blind and set free those that Satan had oppressed? He knew because the Holy Spirit revealed it.

On this Christmas morning, over two thousand years after He came, my prayer is that you have the faith to accept what a wonderful gift we received ... Because He Came!

~~~


Click on each day's link to read a new reason to praise because He came:

Day 1 - I Have Life Everlasting

Day 2 - I Have Abundant Life

Day 3 - I Have Peace

Day 4 - I'm Not the Old Me

Day 5 - There is Healing

Day 6 - I Can Be Strong

Day 7 - I Have Someone Who Understands

Day 8 - I Have Someone Praying for Me

Day 9 - I Can Be Fruitful

Day 10 - I Have An Advocate

Day 11 - I Have a Shepherd

Day 12 - I Have a Burden-Bearer

Day 13 - The Broken Heart Can Heal

Day 14 - I Have What I Need

Day 15 - I Have a Friend

Day 16 - I Have a Big Brother

Day 17 - I Know the Truth

Day 18 - I Have Light

Day 19 - I Have My Everything

Day 20 - We Have Superfood!

Day 21 - I Have a Precious Stone

Day 22 - Time off - no post!

Day 23 - Time off - no post!

Day 24 - I Have Living Water

Day 25 - Prophecy Was Fulfilled




 

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Praise Posts 2023 - #4 New Eyes

For the first time in 50 years, I can drive without glasses! Amazing! 




I'm thankful for living in a time when technology has become so advanced, cararacts can be removed without having stitches. And now, lens can be put in to correct vision problems at the same time. Who would have imagined this?

It took me a week after my second surgery to trust myself to drive with no glasses. I felt like a baby bird being pushed out of the nest to drive on my own; but just like a bird, it didn't take me long to fly.

I'm giving God praise also for independence and wheels.

I'm also thankful for spiritual eyes and being able to see the amazing priceless gift Jesus extends to me simply because He loves me. I know better than anyone I don't deserve a single blessing. Because of His great love, He offers me not only eternity, but companionship and guidance on my travels to my spiritual destination.

Friend, He offers you that same gift!

But blessed are your eyes for they see, 
and your ears for they hear.
Matthew 13:16 NKJV

 



Welcome to November Praise Posts, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey since 2014.
 
I’ve much to be thankful for this season. I’m finished with cataract surgery in both eyes; and I'm waiting for my final exam to see what my exact prescription will be. For now, I'm using readers!
 
Therefore, this year’s praise posts are going to be short and sweet. I am definitely grateful for the huge blessings I have in my life; but this year, I want to focus on the small blessings of life. They are there if you just look!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~


Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at Let's Have Coffee

Friday, November 3, 2023

Praise Posts 2023 - #3 Blankets

Thankful for blankets

 


There’s just something comforting about a blankie. Babies drag them around. Grandpas keep them tucked around their knees. Spectators at football games brave cold windy weather with blankets wrapped around them up to their chins.
 
Everyone loves a blanket. My favorite is a plushy animal print one. My husband’s is a brown velour blanket longer than he is. After all, what use is a blanket that does not cover you?
 
Spiritually speaking, I am thankful for love that covers me. Both the Old and the New testaments tell me:
 
But love covers all transgressions. Proverbs 10:12b NASB 1995
 
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NASB 1995

I’m glad for a family and a church family whose love blankets me. I’m even more thankful for a God who says He loves me with an everlasting love. That’s the ultimate comfort!


Welcome to November Praise Posts, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey since 2014.
 
I’ve much to be thankful for this season. I’m in the middle of cataract surgery on both eyes. It is going well; but it is limiting the amount of time I’m spending writing, both online and otherwise.
 
Therefore, this year’s praise posts are going to be short and sweet. I am definitely grateful for the huge blessings I have in my life; but this year, I want to focus on the small blessings of life. They are there if you just look!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~


Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at Grace & Truth

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Praise Posts 2023 - #2 Frost

Today, I'm thankful for frost.




You might say, "Frost? Why are you thankful for frost? It's cold!"

Frost is pretty. It coats the landscape with sparkles. Somehow, the great outdoors seems hushed and still when there is a coating of frost (or snow). And when the sun comes up, the frost is burned away (unlike snow).

Frost is God's idea; and He determines when the conditions are right.

And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth? 
Job 28:29b NKJV

 

I'm thankful frost comes, because it does away with the bugs. Now, when I drive at night, bugs will not head for my car windshield and grill on their suicide missions. From now until spring, I'm living in a bug-free zone. No more mosquitos. No annoying buzzing flies who relentlessly invade my space.

 What's not to love about frost?




Welcome to November Praise Posts, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey since 2014.
 
I’ve much to be thankful for this season. I’m in the middle of cataract surgery on both eyes. It is going well; but it is limiting the amount of time I’m spending writing, both online and otherwise.
 
Therefore, this year’s praise posts are going to be short and sweet. I am definitely grateful for the huge blessings I have in my life; but this year, I want to focus on the small blessings of life. They are there if you just look!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~


Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at Tune In Thursday

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Praise Posts 2023 - #1

Thankful for Trees



I praise God He made trees. Imagine a world without them!
 
They add so much to our lives. They provide shade, shelter, sustenance, and sanctuary.
 
Trees also are an example to us. When a tree is deeply rooted, it can stand during the fiercest of storms.
 
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3 NKJV

If a believer is planted and watered by God’s word, he can also stand during times of adversity. He won’t shrivel; but instead, be well-watered, fruitful, and prosperous.
 
Not only am I thankful for trees, I want to be like one.
 



Welcome to November Praise Posts, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey since 2014.
 
I’ve much to be thankful for this season. I’m in the middle of cataract surgery on both eyes. It is going well; but it is limiting the amount of time I’m spending writing, both online and otherwise.
 
Therefore, this year’s praise posts are going to be short and sweet. I am definitely grateful for the huge blessings I have in my life; but this year, I want to focus on the small blessings of life. They are there if you just look!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~


Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at Let's Have Coffee


Tuesday, September 19, 2023

It's our Job to Watch


"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.Matthew 25:13 NKJV

 
I feel the second coming of Christ is getting closer and closer; but even if He does not come for the church today or tomorrow; He might come back for you. He comes back every day for someone. We have no guarantee of another 24 hours of life.
 
Considering that thought, perhaps we should each examine ourselves.
 
Should we be all caught up in what is taking our attention currently?
 
Is it past time to forgive?
 
Wouldn’t today be the best day to make things right with someone?
 
Should we put off stepping into our calling any longer?
 
Or is today the day you need to repent and follow Christ? If you don’t know how, please read my post, ATicket Home, for more info.



My friend, I have no idea how much longer I have here in this life. Neither do you. Let’s make the most of the time we have left. 

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~


Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.


Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.